Bridging the gap.

A GAP-year industry placement initiative is appealing to businesses in the West Midlands to take part in its scheme, which gives students vital work experience during a one-year contract.

The national not-for-profit Year In Industry - YINI - scheme finds paid, degree-relevant work placements for the students, who typically earn between pounds 8,000 and pounds 14,000 for the year, while gaining skills vital to their graduate job prospects.

By giving students experience, the companies benefit by gaining a talented, cost-effective workforce with early access to potential graduate recruits.

YINI area director for the Midlands Estelle Rowe said the scheme was looking for all types of companies and there was no such thing as a typical YINI business.

"We are looking for companies for placements beginning in September 2006," she said.

"The main thing we look for is that they are going to give the young people a challenge, and a valuable, important or demanding project. We are always extremely happy to welcome new organisations."